Usman Khawaja spent half an hour in the nets on Monday, the first time he has batted since back spasms forced him out of the action in Perth. The left-hander faced only throw-downs from assistant coach Michael Di Venuto, but the drill contained plenty of short stuff to check whether the back would hold up. For now, it has.
The session, held in daylight before Australia train again under lights on Tuesday, followed light physio work and fielding drills on Sunday. Medical staff kept a close eye as Khawaja jogged, stretched and twisted through several routines.
Last week, at a function for his foundation, Khawaja said he “should be right” for his hometown Test and no longer needed painkillers. That optimism remains, though he and the coaches will wait to see how the body reacts overnight.
Australia’s opening puzzle
Khawaja missed the chance to open in Perth after spending too long off the field while England collapsed. Re-introduced at No. 4, he made only two before gloving Brydon Carse. Later, stationed at first slip, he clutched a sharp chance to remove Harry Brook but then dropped Jamie Smith and jarred his back while leaping for another edge. Travis Head’s brisk 123 in the chase only sharpened the debate around Australia’s top order.
Since the end of the 2023 Ashes, Khawaja averages 31.84 – one hundred in 45 innings – numbers that have some wondering if the time is right for change, especially with Head openly keen to move up.
Team-mate support
Marnus Labuschagne, asked about the noise around his fellow Queenslander, was unequivocal:
“I think Usman is a high quality player. You look at his record, 85 Tests and what he’s done for Australian cricket, especially since his comeback in 2021. He’s been super consistent; he’s been really the rock [in] the top there. I think there’s been a lot of talk about how many opening partners he’s had over his time.
“He’s an amazing player. The way he’s gone about his game, the way he’s gone from a No. 3, 4 and then opened the batting… navigated some tricky scenarios, he’s just been awesome.
“But I’m not a selector. I think whatever happens is up to the people above my pay grade and what they deem is the best way for us to win the game and win this series. I think it’s just game by game and you work out what’s your best team.”
Selectors will also remember how David Warner mapped out his own farewell, then answered questions with a 164 against Pakistan at Perth only months ago. Experience is not easily replaced, even when form wobbles.
Pink ball factors
Head coach Andrew McDonald insists Australia will wait until the final evening before naming the XI. Conditions at the Gabba often encourage pace, yet former captains Michael Clarke and Aaron Finch have argued a frontline spinner remains essential in day-night Tests here. “Lyon not being in XI should never be talked about,” Clarke said on radio, and the off-spinner has a strong pink-ball record to back the claim.
England, meanwhile, arrived in Brisbane pondering their own balance after that limp first-innings 147 in Perth. Whether they are better prepared for a twilight examination of patience and technique is one of several unknowns heading into Wednesday.
Next steps
Khawaja will bat again during the Tuesday night session, this time likely facing the quicks. If the back behaves, he is expected to retain his spot at the top of the order, at least for the start of the match. Should there be any setback, Head’s audition as an opener may be fast-tracked.
Either way, Australia want the issue settled early. A fit Khawaja offers familiarity; a reshuffle on the eve of a Test, especially under lights, risks giving England a small but welcome opening.
